Dosage & Route

ADULTS

Usual dose is 2–6 mg/day; range 1–10 mg/day given in divided doses with largest dose hs.

Insomnia due to transient stress: 2–4 mg given hs.

IM

0.05 mg/kg up to a maximum of 4 mg administered at least 2 hr before operative procedure.

IV

Initial dose is 2 mg total or 0.044 mg/kg, whichever is smaller. Do not exceed this dose in patients older than 50 yr. Doses as high as 0.05 mg/kg up to a total of 4 mg may be given 15–20 min before the procedure to those benefited by a greater lack of recall. Continuous infusion 0.5–1 mg/hr titrated, based on patient response.

Teaching points

You may experience these side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness (may be transient; avoid driving or engaging in dangerous activities); GI upset (take drug with food); nocturnal sleep disturbances for several nights after discontinuing the drug if used as a sedative and hypnotic; depression, dreams, emotional upset, crying.